Cultural Calendar Ideas for March
The birds are returning!
Parent Involvement Ideas + Book Recommendations For March:
What happens in March? March is the time that geese and other birds return from the South. This month is a great time to focus on teachings involving the sky, geese and other migratory birds.
Here are a few ways to incorporate this into your March calendar with parent involvement and books!
If you have a Parent Board in your center, consider posting traditional teachings stars and constellations.
Promote words that stipulate what you would see in the night sky, using translation from your traditional language. Encourage parents to share the same words in their traditional language.
Post a map of places that are great for family star watching - lend out telescopes or have a contest to win a telescope.
Have each family send in a word in their language (such as: family, welcome etc), than make a display with the family’s pictures, nation and word.
Send home star guides and traditional stories that take place in the sky.
Encourage parents to take children stargazing. Have families send in pictures or post to your site’s private Facebook page.
Host a family evening outside. Invite Elders to come and tell stories, share warm drinks and have the opportunity for families to use telescopes and lay together to look under the night sky.
Have a roasted goose lunch and invite the elders to tell traditional stories, invite the parents to come as well.
Host a sewing circle for parents and kids, and have a fluent traditional speakers present to share their language skills.
Host a parents night or family craft night where they can make a “Welcome” sign in their own language for display.
Post links and resources on your Facebook page to encourage interest from families on what the children have been learning at AHS.
Send home supplies and a recipe for a roasted goose dinner, duck soup or rabbit stew to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
March Cultural Resources:
Our Book Pick of the month:
Title: Maakusie Loves Music
Author: The Music Group, Twin Flames
Chelsea June & Jaaji
Illustrated by: Tamara Campeau To purchase: Inhabit Books
This book introduces young readers to the exciting world of traditional and modern music in the Arctic. Traditional Inuit music and instruments are featured in this interactive story.
Recommended Children’s Books:
Available for Purchase at Strong Nations
Going Home - the Story of Animal Migration, by: Marianne Berkes
The Little Duck Sikihpsis, by: Stan Cuthand
The Water Walkers, by: Joanne Robertson
We Are Water Protectors, by: Carole Lindstrom
In the Sky at Nighttime, by: Laura Deal
Sky Sisters, by: Jan Bourdeau Waboose
Northern Lights - The Soccor Trails, by: Michael Kusugak
Animals in the Sky, by: Sara Gillingham
Recipe of the Month: Salmon & Wild Rice Chowder
Source: Native Womens Association of Canada Traditional Foods & Recipes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp minced fresh thyme
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 to 5 cups milk
1 cup cooked wild rice
1 to 1/2 cups cooked or uncooked salmon, cut into dice size pieces
Salt & Pepper to taste
dash Tabasco optional
Directions:
In a large soup pot over medium-low hat, add butter, onion, garlic, and thyme and saute until soft
Add flour, salt,and pepper, stirring constantly until well blended
Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until sauce comes to a boil and thickens
Add cooked wild rice and salmon, simmer for 5 minutes until salmon is heated or cooked
Season to taste
Remove from heat and serve
Use food safety instructions if storing